Key Highlights

• Red alert: Sitamarhi and Madhubani face the most severe impact from a weather system that originated in the Bay of Bengal.
• Orange alert: Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas and Aurangabad have been warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
• Yellow alert: 16 districts, including Saran, Siwan, Purnea, Bhagalpur and Begusarai, may see gusty winds of 30–40 kmph.
• Crop damage: Continuous rain has reportedly flattened standing paddy crops in several areas.
• Temperatures fall: The mercury has dropped by around 5–7°C in parts of the state, with light fog in the mornings.

For Bihar’s farmers, this is the worst possible time for the rain to come back. The paddy is ripe, the grain is heavy on the stalk, and harvest is close. Now, a weather system from the Bay of Bengal is set to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds to large parts of the state on Saturday.

The Patna Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for Sitamarhi and Madhubani, where the impact is expected to be the most severe. An orange alert is in place for Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas and Aurangabad.

A yellow alert has been issued for Saran, Siwan, West Champaran, East Champaran, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Munger, Banka, Bhagalpur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai and Jamui, with thunderstorms, rain and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph likely.

The state has already had two to three days of intermittent rain, which has disrupted normal life in several districts. The department has forecast more rain, strong winds and lightning across many areas.

A Harvest Under Threat

The bigger worry is in the fields. Continuous rain has reportedly flattened standing paddy crops in several areas. Farmers say the strong winds and rain have made the grain-laden stalks bend and collapse, which puts their harvest at risk and adds to their financial stress.

Timing makes it worse. Paddy that falls over in waterlogged fields can rot or start sprouting before it is cut, and grain from fallen crops is often harder to sell at a good price. For small farmers who depend on this one kharif crop, even a partial loss can hurt their finances for the whole season.

The Meteorological Department has advised farmers to drain excess water from their fields and move harvested or mature crops to safe storage to reduce losses.

Lightning is the other serious risk. Bihar is among the states most affected by lightning during thunderstorms, and officials have asked people to stay alert. Residents should avoid open areas, stay away from trees and electric poles during storms, and take shelter in a pucca building as soon as they hear thunder. People working in fields are at the highest risk and should stop work when clouds gather. IMD’s Damini app gives real-time lightning alerts by location.

The department has also asked people not to believe rumours and to follow only official weather updates.

The rain has brought some relief from the heat, with temperatures falling by around 5–7°C in parts of the state and light fog in the mornings. Authorities have urged residents, especially in the alert districts, to stay alert and follow safety advisories over the next few days.

(With inputs from IANS)

Key Highlights

• Red alert: Sitamarhi and Madhubani face the most severe impact from a weather system that originated in the Bay of Bengal.
• Orange alert: Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas and Aurangabad have been warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
• Yellow alert: 16 districts, including Saran, Siwan, Purnea, Bhagalpur and Begusarai, may see gusty winds of 30–40 kmph.
• Crop damage: Continuous rain has reportedly flattened standing paddy crops in several areas.
• Temperatures fall: The mercury has dropped by around 5–7°C in parts of the state, with light fog in the mornings.

For Bihar’s farmers, this is the worst possible time for the rain to come back. The paddy is ripe, the grain is heavy on the stalk, and harvest is close. Now, a weather system from the Bay of Bengal is set to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds to large parts of the state on Saturday.

The Patna Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for Sitamarhi and Madhubani, where the impact is expected to be the most severe. An orange alert is in place for Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas and Aurangabad.

A yellow alert has been issued for Saran, Siwan, West Champaran, East Champaran, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Munger, Banka, Bhagalpur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai and Jamui, with thunderstorms, rain and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph likely.

The state has already had two to three days of intermittent rain, which has disrupted normal life in several districts. The department has forecast more rain, strong winds and lightning across many areas.

A Harvest Under Threat

The bigger worry is in the fields. Continuous rain has reportedly flattened standing paddy crops in several areas. Farmers say the strong winds and rain have made the grain-laden stalks bend and collapse, which puts their harvest at risk and adds to their financial stress.

Timing makes it worse. Paddy that falls over in waterlogged fields can rot or start sprouting before it is cut, and grain from fallen crops is often harder to sell at a good price. For small farmers who depend on this one kharif crop, even a partial loss can hurt their finances for the whole season.

The Meteorological Department has advised farmers to drain excess water from their fields and move harvested or mature crops to safe storage to reduce losses.

Lightning is the other serious risk. Bihar is among the states most affected by lightning during thunderstorms, and officials have asked people to stay alert. Residents should avoid open areas, stay away from trees and electric poles during storms, and take shelter in a pucca building as soon as they hear thunder. People working in fields are at the highest risk and should stop work when clouds gather. IMD’s Damini app gives real-time lightning alerts by location.

The department has also asked people not to believe rumours and to follow only official weather updates.

The rain has brought some relief from the heat, with temperatures falling by around 5–7°C in parts of the state and light fog in the mornings. Authorities have urged residents, especially in the alert districts, to stay alert and follow safety advisories over the next few days.

(With inputs from IANS)